Song Lessons

Basic English Grammar, 3rd Edition

I BELIEVE I CAN FLY by R. Kelly

A lesson about the modals can and could (Chapter 12)

Notes for the Teacher

1. The song
Do a search on the Internet to find the song “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly. When you
search, be sure to include the title and the name of the artist.

2. Song background
R. Kelly is an R & B (rhythm and blues) singer and songwriter. He first sang in subway
stations in Chicago, Illinois, but now he is very famous. In fact, he was one of the most
successful R & B performers of the 1990s.

R. Kelly first sang this song, “I Believe I Can Fly,” in 1996. R. Kelly says that he wrote the
song for Michael Jordon, a very famous basketball player who jumps very high. The
song is inspirational -- it tries to help people succeed in life.

3. Grammar background
This song uses the modal verb can to expresses ability.
Write these examples on the board. Point out to students that can is followed by the
simple form of the verb.

A bird can fly, but a cow cannot fly.

A fish can swim, but a cow can’t swim.

Could is the past tense of can. In this song, it is used to expresses ability in the past.
Write these examples on the board:

When I was a very small baby, I couldn’t talk.

I am an adult now, so I can talk.

When I was a child, I couldn’t drive a car.

I am adult now, so I can drive a car.

You can find information on can and could on pages 354 and 362 in Chapter 12 of Basic
English Grammar.

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Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
 Song Lessons
Basic English Grammar, 3rd Edition

I BELIEVE I CAN FLY by R. Kelly

4. Vocabulary
These are just a few of the vocabulary words you might want to discuss during your
lesson.

 used to: when a person did something in the past, but does not do it now.
 go on: continue (in life)
 lean on: use as support
 everlasting: continuing forever
 There’s nothing to it. “It’s easy.”
 wing: the part of a bird or insect’s body used for flying
 soar: fly high
 be on the verge: be going to happen very soon
 miracle: something really special and unusual
 achieve: do successfully

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Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
 Song Lessons
Basic English Grammar, 3rd Edition

I BELIEVE I CAN FLY by R. Kelly

Student Worksheet

While you listen

1. Listen to the song once.

How does the song make you feel?
Does it make you feel more than one emotion?
Write down all the emotions you felt when you heard the song.

2. Now listen again. Try to hear the modals can and could.
Make a mark under can every time you hear can.
Make a mark under could every time you hear could.

Can Could __________

3. Now listen again. Read the lyrics as you listen. Did you hear all the verbs?

After you listen

1. Things to think about and discuss
In pairs, small groups, or as a whole class, share your answers to these questions.

● The singer says that he is different than he was in the past.

In your opinion, why did he change?

● The singer talks about miracles.

What do you think he means when he says that it must start inside of him?

● The singer is a person, so he can’t really fly.

What do you think he means when he says he can fly?

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Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
 Song Lessons
Basic English Grammar, 3rd Edition

I BELIEVE I CAN FLY by R. Kelly

Page 4 of 5

Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
 Song Lessons
Basic English Grammar, 3rd Edition

I BELIEVE I CAN FLY by R. Kelly

Student Worksheet page 2

2. Grammar
Find the sentence where the singer uses could. Why do you think the singer used
could instead of can in this sentence?

3. Speaking & Writing

In pairs, small groups, or as a whole class, share your answers to these questions:

Think about a difficult problem that you had in your life.

What did you do about the problem?
Did someone help you?
How did they help you?

Share your story with another student or small group.

Now write a paragraph about your problem and how you solved it.
Use this title:

A Difficult Problem in my Life

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Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.